CHOOSY, FINICKY, FUSSY, PICKY, PERSNICKETY —> take your pick and choose whichever word you like best!
We live in a world where there are more choices to choose from than ever before. We did not have this problem a hundred years ago, because the choices simply did not exist. But today we are so spoiled with choices because of advances in our society and the products that we are offered. Just go down any aisle in any store and you will know what I mean. Toothpaste alone offers so many different brands with so many different sizes, types of caps, flavors, and compositions that it makes your head spin. And if you are unlucky enough to shop for someone else, may heaven help you if you bring the wrong one home. Same with toothbrushes — color, brand, size, shape, texture, etc. Oh, you don’t use a toothbrush! What kind of waterpick do you use? Floss, oh no, the choices seem endless.
Both of my parents had shared with me when they were growing up during the Great Depression that one of the Christmas presents they received was an orange wrapped up in aluminum foil under the Christmas tree. Could you imagine doing that with one of your kids or grandkids nowadays?
Think about the times you stood in line at a busy ice cream or coffee shop and had to wait for the people in front of you to choose what they really wanted. My wife and I went out to eat many times with a very fun couple we are friends with. We always had a great time with them but we dreaded the ordeal the husband went through choosing from the menu. Often the waiter or waitress was called back many times for changes to be made before he chose exactly what he thought he wanted to eat and drink.
Recently I went out shopping for someone and brought home bottled water that was on the shopping list. Here I find out that the person wanted spring water, not purified water. So I went back out and brought home spring water. This still did not satisfy them because the brand that I was unfortunate enough to grab and brought home had previously left an unpleasant taste in their mouth, which they did not warn me of. The shame is that being blessed with so many choices, has also made us selfish and has divided us like never before. Let’s not forget that many people in the world don’t even have access to clean drinking water.
All of these choices I am speaking about pale to the most important choice in your life. Atheism, Agnosticism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, etc —> which will it be? The reason why it is the most important decision in your life is because it will determine your destiny for eternity. Once you die, you no longer have any choices or say.
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV)
No matter what religion you are, we will all stand before the LORD God of Israel, Who is the Father of all, and He will ask, “What did you do with my Son Jesus Christ?”
“Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him…..there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10, 12 NKJV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6 NKJV)
We must understand that the God Who created each one of us is extremely choosy. He made only one way into eternal life and that is only through the forgiveness of sins by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” (Matthew 7:13 NLT)
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14 NLT)
“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:18 NLT)
So my friends, you may want to rethink being so picky about the things that don’t really matter in life and learn to be content with what you get.
“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you.” (Luke 10:5-8 NLT)
Our society puts pressure on us to make sure we have enough life insurance to take care of our loved ones when we pass away, but they fail to put pressure on us to make the right choice of where we will spend eternity. Don’t be deceived and put off that most important decision in your life. Make the choice for Jesus before it is too late!
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’” “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:16-21 NLT)
“And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-12, 15 NLT)
Only by making a conscious decision accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and LORD will get your name written down in the Book of Life!
Annointing 